Parents Gain Insights At Anti-drug Lecture

March 15, 1996|By MICHAEL WHEELER; Courant Correspondent

ELLINGTON — Victor Walton helped a group of parents see colors Thursday night. Reds, greens, yellows and blues, to be exact.

Through comical sketches and a few lighthearted self-exams, the outgoing Walton engaged 60 parents of sixth-grade students, helping them identify which personality ``color type'' they are. Impatient ``reds'' could live harmoniously with drifting and laid-back ``blues'' in Walton's world.

Walton's lecture was the highlight of a parent-teacher program within the DARE anti-drug effort sponsored by the state police and the town's social services department.

For most of the two hours, the flamboyant speaker had parents laughing at themselves. But by meeting's end the tone had turned serious.

``What you see is what you focus on,'' said Walton. ``Kids with negative attitudes have negative views of the world. They ask, `Why bother?' ''

Walton's message came through to Dan Bahler, whose 12-year-old son, Kurt, is now in the DARE program.

``I thought it was very enlightening,'' said Bahler. ``I thought it was very interesting how we portray our differences. To tell you the truth, it really starts at home.''

Walton won high marks from school officials as well.

``I think he's a masterful communicator,'' said Frank Milbury, principal of the Windermere School. ``I think he did a wonderful job of dealing with difference. He's saying, `It's OK to be different.' ''

Walton's aim was to help parents communicate better and help their children avoid drugs, said Resident State Trooper Ralph Morales, who organized the evening presentation.

Morales feels strongly about keeping kids off drugs.

``I do a lot of work with gang members in Hartford,'' he said. ``It's really hard to get them to stay away from drugs, but it really starts at home. For the DARE program to work, you really need cooperation with parents and the school system.''